Network scanning

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for network scanning. For example, the systems and methods can address AP scanning in the WiFi-6 context, where AP scanning frequency and the number of 6 GHz channels can be reduced. Additionally, the timing of AP scanning (on 2.4/5/6 GHz channels) can be adjusted to wait until STA&#39;s buffered frames are sent to AP and/or while a STA is asleep due to time TWT.

BACKGROUND

Wi-Fi is a family of wireless network protocols, based on the IEEE802.11 standards, which are commonly used for local area networking ofdevices and Internet access. Several versions of Wi-Fi are available,including Wi-Fi 6E (e.g., Wi-Fi 6 Extended into the 6 GHz band), whichhas increased available spectrum and channels from Wi-Fi 6 for entrylevel access points (AP) and routers.

Some consider Wi-Fi 6E as making Wi-Fi more usable in general byincreasing throughput over the prior Wi-Fi 5 and 6 with 80 MHz channels.In particular, Wi-Fi 6E adds 1,200 MHz (5925 MHz-7125 MHz) or 1.2 GHznew bandwidth with 5920-MHz channels, 2940-MHz channels, 1480-MHzchannels, and 7160-MHz channels. Beside this, to support fast discovery,a Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) Discovery frame is introduced with 20ms interval and the minimum beacon interval can be reduced to 40 ms.With doubled channel number and a half beacon interval, the original APScanning method which enables scans of all valid channels becomesinefficient and hard to implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The figures are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network scanning scenario, in accordancewith embodiments of the application.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of network scanning, in accordance withembodiments of the application.

FIG. 3 illustrates some examples of 6 GHz Basic Service SetIdentification (BSSID) information, in accordance with embodiments ofthe application.

FIG. 4 show illustrative 6 GHz neighborhood BSSID tables, in accordancewith embodiments of the application.

FIG. 5 illustrates a control information subfield format in a BufferStatus Report (BSR) control subfield for implementing a scheduled scanperiod, in accordance with embodiments of the application.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process of deferring a scan to the next scanperiod, in accordance with embodiments of the application.

FIG. 7 illustrates background scanning, in accordance with embodimentsof the application.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate scheduling individual or broadcast TWT, inaccordance with embodiments of the application.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a computing component for providing networkscanning, in accordance with embodiments of the application.

FIG. 11 is an example computing component that may be used to implementvarious features of embodiments described in the present disclosure.

The figures are not exhaustive and do not limit the present disclosureto the precise form disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With the approval of WiFi-6E and use of 1.2 GHz new bandwidth, Wi-Fitechnology is growing faster than ever. However, moving to this newbandwidth can create some setbacks. For example, with the large numberof channels in a 6 GHz band, traditional discovery methods needimprovement. In these traditional methods, the AP may iterate throughevery channel to discover its neighbors. With the massive number ofadditional channels, this traditional discovery method would take asignificant amount of time before the AP discovers its neighbors.

Traditional discovery methods also implement background scanning. Inthese methods, a client device may scan a network to connect to an AP.During normal scanning operations, a client device may scan for asuitable AP to connect to, in case it needs to roam from its current“on-channel” AP. The AP may also scan the network, e.g., for intrusiondetection purposes. In these examples, the client device or the AP canscan a channel to determine which client devices or APs are also presenton the channel. The AP may move off channel and leave its home channelor BSS channel where the AP serves its clients. In off-channel scanning,the client device may tune its radio to another channel to look foravailable APs or scanning for APs on a channel to which it is notconnected (hence “off-channel”).

When the AP returns on-channel, the AP may scan again. However, whilethe AP was scanning off-channel, the AP might have missed some dataframes sent to it on its home channel. This can lead to packet loss,retries, and high channel utilization.

Traditional scanning methods may also cause the AP to miss variousframes (e.g., data frames, management frames, control frames) fromunassociated client devices that were sent when the AP was scanning. Forexample, the unassociated client may send management frames to the AP(e.g., via the other channel that the un-associated clients is trying toassociate, or via the original channel, etc.). When a data frame is sentfrom an associated client and missed while the AP is scanning the otherchannel, that could cause a data loss and the STAs may retry thoseframes. In either frame loss event, the devices would need to performadditional processing that could lead to connection delays or longerassociation times.

Embodiments described herein can improve traditional network scanningmethods (e.g., for WiFi-6E, etc.) using a variety of methods that can becombined or used independently.

For example, the system can learn the channel list of a 6 GHz radio thathave active Basic Service Set Identification (BSSID) services withoriginal scanning in 2.4 and 5 GHz radio. The 6 GHz radio may performoff-channel scanning in these channels instead of performing scanningacross all valid 6 GHz channels. This data may be acquired from storeddata (e.g., at the AP or AP controller, etc.), including for example, aReduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) that includes aneighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSID information. Information associated with anAP's co-hosted 2.4 and 5 GHz radio's beacons or probes may also beincluded. The channel list may be determined with an original scanningin 2.4 and 5 GHz radio. An additional 6 GHz radio scanning may beimplemented off-channel in these channels instead of performing scanningacross all valid 6 GHz channels, thereby reducing a number of channelsto scan and improving efficiency of the overall system.

Embodiments described herein may also or alternatively include scheduledscanning. For example, a scan period may be scheduled based oninformation in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame received from one ormore client devices. From the BSR frames, an AP can learn if a Wi-Ficommunication station (STA), such as the AP, a base station, or a mobiledevice including a Wi-Fi device, has buffered frames and is likely tosend uplink data to the AP. If this case, the AP can defer the scanperiod to subsequent beacon interval. The scan period may last until theAP has received available data from its clients. A similar process mayapply to Wi-Fi 6 capable APs operating on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels. Thescheduled scanning process may reduce the number of scans in the system,which can reduce extraneous or unneeded data from being needlesslytransmitted between devices.

Embodiments described herein may also or alternatively include adjustingBSSID information in beacon frames. For example, client devices maylearn about the Short Service Set Identification (Short-SSID) field(e.g., hash of the SSID, compressed SSID, shortened or reduced SSID,etc.) and/or destination address field operating on 6 GHz radio from theRNR IE present in AP's co-hosted 2.4 G and 5 GHz beacon frames and probeframes. Client devices are also likely to send probe request frames to 6GHz BSSID immediately after processing the RNR IE of co-hosted 2.4 G and5 GHz radio. If the AP is initiating a scanning process during the samewindow, it may not be able to respond to probe request frames. This cancause client connectivity issues. To solve this issue, embodiments ofthe application may not include the 6 GHz BSSID information in the RNRIE of co-hosted 2.4 G and 5 GHz radios in the beacon frames prior togoing for off channel scan on 6 GHz radio. As shown, this is because the2.4 G and 5 GHz beacon frames and probe frames are present and it is notlikely that the same device will include 6 GHz as well. This may alsolimit the requirement of the client to respond to probe request frames,which can reduce a number of tasks that the client needs to perform andimprove computational efficiency for other, higher priority tasks.

Embodiments described herein may also or alternatively consider a TargetWait Time (TWT) for AP scanning. For example, TWT may define a timewindow when the STA is awake and able to transmit or receive data, orwhen the STA is asleep and unable to transmit or receive data (e.g.,when the STA is set to “power-save mode”). In some examples, the APscanning may be aligned with the TWT window of the STA so that anynetwork scanning may be performed during the scheduled time period thatthe STA is in power save state. This process may also define scheduledscanning dwell time (e.g., the time the AP spends on a foreign channelwhile scanning). In some examples, the AP can use individual TWT orbroadcast TWT mechanisms to assign the windows when the STAs wouldremain in power save state. During this time, the STAs are not supposedto send any data to the AP and the AP can use these windows to performbackground scanning. Embodiments of the application may adjust thetiming of AP scanning (e.g., on 2.4/5/6 GHz channels) to wait until theSTA is asleep due to time TWT. This may be implemented either to sendindividual TWT or broadcast TWT to all the APs associated with the TWTequal to the scan dwell time interval, thereby reducing channelutilization overall. Additionally, a similar process may apply to Wi-Fi6 capable APs operating on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels.

Technical advantages are realized throughout the application. Forexample, embodiments described herein can be more efficient thantraditional processes, as well as increase the ability to detectneighbors and threats faster than before. This scanning process may alsoput less impact on access service since fewer channels are required toscan. Additionally, the system described herein may reduce packet lossand retries, which may correspond with a better user experience.

Examples provided in the disclosure recite 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHzfrequency bands, but the concepts described throughout should not belimited to these frequency bands. These bands are provided forillustrative purposes only. For example, some embodiments of theapplication describe learning a channel list of an unknown frequencyband (e.g., 6 GHz) using data from an original scanning process (e.g.,2.4 and 5 GHz). As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opens newbands for use, these methods may be applied to the future spectrums andchannel lists may be learned on these new bands.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network scanning scenario, in accordancewith embodiments of the application. In the illustration, two APs 110(shown as first access point 110A and second access point 110B) mayperform the network scanning. Although not shown in FIG. 1 forsimplicity, APs 110 may include a Physical Layer Device (PHY), a MediaAccess Control Layer (MAC), a processor, a memory, a network interface,and one or more antennas. The PHY may include one or more transceiversand a baseband processor. The transceivers may be coupled to theantennas to communicate wirelessly with one or more STAs, with one ormore other APs (e.g., between first access point 110A and second accesspoint 110B), or with other suitable devices.

APs 110 may be physically co-located using 2.4 and 5 GHz channels and,in some examples, have at least three radios operating in at least threefrequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, etc.). Each radio ofAPs 110 may generate beacon frames during TBTT in the primary channel ofits Basic Service Set (BSS). The radios may send the generated beaconframes at TBTT intervals on its primary channel. The beacons of 2.4 and5 GHzradio also contain information about the 6 GHz BSSID in the form ofthe Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE).

A 6 GHz scanning channel list may be generated based on information fromAPs 110 co-hosted 2.4 and 5 GHzradio's beacons or probes. For example,in a logical network segment of a Wi-Fi network, a group of co-locatedwireless network devices like APs 110 may form a service set (e.g.,operating with the same Level 2 (L2) networking parameters) when thedevices share the same Service Set Identifier (SSID). As part of theWi-Fi 6E standard, these devices may be required to carry 6 GHz BSSIDinformation in 2.4 and 5 GHzRNR IE of beacon and probe response. The RNRelements may comprise a channel number, operating class, Target BeaconTransmission Time (TBTT) Offset, short SSID, BSSID, and Basic ServiceSets (BSS) that aid in the discovery of the co-located 6 GHz BSS.

Using this available information, first AP 110A may determine that itsneighbor, second AP 110B, has 6 GHz BSSIDs and may also determine thechannel number. Based on this scanned information, first AP 110A may addthe channel number associated with second AP 110B to a 6 GHz scanchannel list maintained by first AP 110A.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of network scanning, in accordance withembodiments of the application. The illustrated method may be performedby the AP and/or AP controller.

At block 205, an AP may initiate a 2.4 and 5 GHz scanning process. Inthe context of the 802.11 standard, management frames supporting theSSID IE include the beacon, probe request/response, andassociation/reassociation request frames.

For example, an AP may advertise wireless local area networks (WLANs) toSTAs by sending out beacons and probe responses that contain a WLAN'sService Set Identifier (SSID), as well as, e.g., supportedauthentication and data rates. When a STA associates to an AP, that STAsends traffic to the AP's Basic SSID (BSSID), which typically is theAP's Media Access Control (MAC) address. In some networks, an AP may usea unique BSSID for each WLAN allowing a single, physical AP to supportmultiple WLANs.

At block 210, the AP may receive beacon and probe responses from the 2.4and 5 GHz scanning process. For example, each beacon or probe responsemay contain a single SSID IE. The AP may send beacons that it supportsat a beacon interval (e.g., 100 ms), using a unique BSSID, and respondto probe requests for supported SSIDs (including a request for thebroadcast SSID) with a probe response, including the capabilitiescorresponding to each BSSID. In one embodiment, an AP may advertise upto a given number (e.g., 16) of beacons, each with a different BSSID.

At block 215, the AP may determine whether the RNR IE is present for theneighboring AP in the 2.4 and 5 GHz scanning process. If yes, the methodproceeds to block 230. If no, the method proceeds to block 220.

At block 220, the AP may ignore the frames and move on to parsing thenext frame. For example, the frame may be ignored when the frame failsto include the RNR IE.

At block 230, information from the neighbor's beacon or probe responsemay be extracted and stored. The information may include the neighborAP's 6 GHz BSSID information. Other frequency bands greater than 2.4 and5 GHz may be discovered, including but not limited to 6 GHz, withoutdiverting from the essence of this disclosure. Illustrative examples ofthe 6 GHz BSSID information is provided in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates some examples of 6 GHz Basic Service SetIdentification (BSSID) information, in accordance with embodiments ofthe application. In the illustration, first format 310 may include a RNRelement format and second format 320 may include a neighbor APinformation field format. In first format 310, the data may comprise oneoctet of each the element identifier (ID) and length, with a variableoctet format of the neighbor AP information. In second format 320, thedata may comprise two octets for the Target Beacon Transmission Time(TBTT) information header, one octet for the operating class, one octetfor the channel number, and a variable octet format of the TBTTinformation set. The “operating class” and “channel number” fields mayindicate the APs 6 GHz BSSID's operation channel information that isalso included in “neighbor AP information field” of first format 310.

Illustrative 6 GHz neighborhood BSSID tables are provided with FIG. 4.For example, the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio scan may produce list of BSSIDchannels 410. The list may comprise neighboring APs from the scanning APand each AP's 6 GHz BSSID channel. In some examples, the list of BSSIDchannels 410 may be transformed to generate a second list 420,corresponding with the 6 GHz channel and an active 6 GHz BSSID number.

The second list 420 may be sorted or weighted to produce a 6 GHz scancandidate table 430. The 6 GHz scan candidate table 430 may include the6 GHz channel, active 6 GHz BSSID number, index, and/or the schedulingweight associated with the 6 GHz channel.

Various sorting or weighting methodologies are considered. For example,a channel may be prioritized and assigned a greater weight than otherchannels when the channel includes a greater number of BSSIDs (e.g.,column labeled “active 6 GHz BSSID number”). The larger number of BSSIDsmay make the channel more discoverable by neighbors and with more activeBSSIDs. In another example, the active 6 GHz BSSID number from thesecond list 420 can be sorted from high to low, and assigned a differentscheduling weight according to its order and number. The schedulingweight may correspond with the frequency of the 6 GHz channel beingselected to scan. The sorting or weighting process may be implementedusing other algorithms without diverting from the essence of thedisclosure.

Returning to FIG. 2, at block 235, a 6 GHz scan candidate table 430 maybe updated, as shown with FIG. 4. For example, the channel list may bedetermined with an original scanning in 2.4 and 5 GHz radio, and anadditional 6 GHz radio scanning may be implemented off-channel in thesechannels instead of performing scanning across all valid 6 GHz channels.The combination of channels from these scans may identify channels for 6GHz scan candidate table 430.

At block 250, 6 GHz scanning may be implemented using the 6 GHz BSSIDchannel information. For example, the 6 GHz radio may performoff-channel scanning in these channels instead of performing scanningacross all valid 6 GHz channels. This data may be acquired from storeddata (e.g., at the AP or AP controller, etc.), including for example, aReduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) that includes aneighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSID information. Information associated with anAP's co-hosted 2.4 and 5 GHz radio's beacons or probes may also beincluded.

At block 255, the AP (or other device including the AP controller, etc.)may select a channel from 6 GHz scan candidate table 430.

At block 260, 6 GHz scanning may be completed. The AP may perform abackground scanning process on the channel selected from 6 GHz scancandidate table 430. This may comprise switching to that channel andlistening for the RF transmissions on that channel.

At block 270, any discovered channels may be stored with 6 GHz scancandidate table 430.

FIG. 5 illustrates a control information subfield format in a BufferStatus Report (BSR) control subfield for implementing a scheduled scanperiod, in accordance with embodiments of the application. For example,the scan period may be scheduled based on Buffer Status Report (BSR)frames received from the client devices. As described herein, an AP canlearn if a Wi-Fi communication station (STA), such as the AP, a basestation, or a client device including a Wi-Fi device, has bufferedframes (e.g., from the BSR frames) and is likely to send uplink (UL)data to the AP. If this case, the AP can defer the scan period tosubsequent beacon interval. The scan period may last until the AP hasreceived available data from its clients. A similar process may apply toWi-Fi 6 capable APs operating on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels.

An illustrative control information subfield format is provided withFIG. 5. The format may include Access Category Indicator (ACI) bitmap,Delta Traffic Identifier (TID), ACI high, scaling factor, queue sizehigh, and queue size all fields. For example, TID may correspond with atraffic classification indicating the relative priority level of thetraffic. In another example, the access category may correspond withdata that may be queued together or aggregated according to the prioritylevel.

In some examples, to assist the AP in scheduling uplink (UL)transmission and allocating UL multi-user (MU) resources, an APs mayrequest STA buffer status information. The format of the request may bedefined in the IEEE 802.11ax standards. For example, the STA canexplicitly deliver Buffer State Reports (BSRs) in any frame sent to theAP. The BSR can be carried in Quality of Service (QoS) Control field(e.g., a 16-bit field that identifies the QoS parameter of a data frame)and/or in the BSR variant of the High Throughput (HT) Control field ofthe Medium Access Control (MAC) header frame. As such, any client devicecan indicate its buffer status in the QoS Control field and/or in the HTControl field of the MAC header frame.

From the BSR frames, the AP can determine whether the STA has bufferedframes and is likely to send uplink data to the AP. If that case, the APcan defer the scan period to subsequent beacon interval until it hasreceived all the data from its clients. This may also apply to the Wi-Fi6 capable APs operating on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process of deferring a scan to the next scanperiod, in accordance with embodiments of the application.

At block 610, a scanning process may be initiated. The scan process maycorrespond with the process described with FIG. 2 or any other scanprocess described throughout the disclosure.

At block 620, a client table may be accessed. In some examples, theclient table may correspond with the 6 GHz neighborhood BSSID tableillustrated with FIG. 4. An iteration of the client table may beinitiated.

At block 630, a buffer status of the client may be checked. For example,a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame may be received from one or moreclient devices and identify whether the STA has buffered frames.

At block 640, the process determines whether the buffer has pendingframes and is likely to send uplink (UL) data (e.g., from the BSRframe). If yes, the process proceeds to block 650. If no, the processreturns to block 620.

At block 650, the scan may be deferred to the next scan period. The scanperiod may last until the AP has received available data from itsclients. A similar process may apply to Wi-Fi 6 capable APs operating on2.4 and 5 GHz channels.

FIG. 7 illustrates background scanning, in accordance with embodimentsof the application. For example, before and after going off-channel toscan on the 6 GHz radio, the system may exclude and include the 6 GHzBSSID information in the RNR IE of co-hosted 2.4 and 5 GHz radios in thebeacon frames. An additional 6 GHz radio scanning may be implementedoff-channel in these channels instead of performing scanning across allvalid 6 GHz channels. Additionally, client devices may learn about SSIDsoperating on 6 GHz radio from RNR IE present in AP's co-hosted 2.4 and 5GHz beacons and probe frames. Client devices are likely to send proberequest frames to 6 GHz BSSID immediately after processing the RNR IE ofco-hosted 2.4 and 5 GHz radio.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the 2.4 GHz radio beacons, 5 GHz radiobeacons, and 6 GHz radio beacons transmit four beacons in the network.The first two beacons of the 2.4 and 5 GHz include the RNR IE and thethird beacon is aligned with the other radio's scanning window. Becauseof the alignment, the RNR IE is not needed in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radiobeacons.

When the 6 GHz radio initiates the scanning process, 2.4 and 5 GHz radiobeacons may stop including the 6 GHz BSSID information in the RNR IE andthe client devices may not send probe request frames to 6 GHz radioduring the beacon intervals. As shown with the 6 GHz radio beacons 710,the AP starts including 6 GHz BSSID information in the RNR IE of 2.4 and5 GHz radio beacons after the scan period is over.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate scheduling individual or broadcast TWT, inaccordance with embodiments of the application. For example, FIG. 8illustrates a process prior to scheduling individual or broadcast TWTand FIG. 9 illustrates a process after scheduling individual orbroadcast TWT.

In FIG. 8, AP 810 starts a background scan. AP 810 may change theoperating channel to a desired foreign channel and will not listen forany frame on the home channel. AP 810 may not receive any frame from STA820 when doing background scan, thus STA 820 may not receive any ACKframe from AP 810. STA 820 may keep retrying the frames until AP 810returns from the background scan and/or otherwise returns to the homechannel.

In FIG. 9, the Individual and Broadcast TWT request may be implemented.For example, before AP 910 begins the background scan on the foreignchannel, AP 910 may perform one or more operations. For example, the APmay assign TWT service periods to STAs that are not aligned with AP'sscanning window. To achieve this, the AP may assign the Target WaitTimes (TWT) greater than or equal to its dwell time. The AP may useindividual or broadcast TWT mechanisms to achieve this.

Once STA 920 accepts, STA 920 may sleep for the required duration of thedwell time and/or otherwise not send any frames to AP 910. AP 910 maystart in parallel the background scan on the foreign channel for therequired dwell time interval. AP 910 may perform the background scan(e.g., of a foreign channel) during the window that STA 920 should notsend frames to AP 910 (e.g., data frames, etc.). Once the dwell timeinterval expires, AP 910 may come back to the home channel and STA 920can wake up from the sleep time. Normal operation may resume.

In some examples, the scan routine may be initiated periodically. Theprocess may implement implicit TWT. If the scan routine may not beinitiated periodically (e.g., a one-time scan), the process mayimplement explicit TWT.

In some examples, a TWT session may be previously implemented. For anexisting TWT session, the process can use the TWT information frame totune a TWT session parameter to fit the dwell time for the backgroundscan.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate examples iterative processes performed by acomputing component 1000 for providing network scanning. Computingcomponent 1000 may be, for example, a server computer, a controller, orany other similar computing component capable of processing data. In theexample implementation of FIGS. 10A-10B, the computing component 1000includes a hardware processor 1002, and machine-readable storage medium1004. In some embodiments, computing component 1000 may be an embodimentof a system corresponding with first AP 110A or second AP 110B of FIG.1.

Hardware processor 1002 may be one or more central processing units(CPUs), semiconductor-based microprocessors, and/or other hardwaredevices suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored inmachine-readable storage medium 1004. Hardware processor 1002 may fetch,decode, and execute instructions, such as instructions 1006-1012 in FIG.10A or instructions 1050-1058 in FIG. 10B, to control processes oroperations for optimizing the system during run-time. As an alternativeor in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, hardwareprocessor 1002 may include one or more electronic circuits that includeelectronic components for performing the functionality of one or moreinstructions, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other electroniccircuits.

A machine-readable storage medium, such as machine-readable storagemedium 1004, may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physicalstorage device that contains or stores executable instructions. Thus,machine-readable storage medium 1004 may be, for example, Random AccessMemory (RAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), an Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an opticaldisc, and the like. In some embodiments, machine-readable storage medium1004 may be a non-transitory storage medium, where the term“non-transitory” does not encompass transitory propagating signals. Asdescribed in detail below, machine-readable storage medium 1004 may beencoded with executable instructions, for example, instructions1006-1012 in FIG. 10A or instructions 1050-1058 in FIG. 10B.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1006 to identify 6Gigahertz (6 GHz) channels associated with neighboring APs.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1008 to order the 6 GHzchannels of the neighboring APs based on activity level of the 6 GHzchannels.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1010 to obtain bufferstatus of a Wi-Fi communication station (STA) associated to the AP.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1012 to schedulescanning of one or more of identified 6 GHz channels with deference tothe obtained buffer status of the STAs and in accordance with a scanningfrequency dependent upon the order of the 6 GHz channels.

In some examples, the 6 GHz channels associated with neighboring APs areidentified from a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE)that includes a neighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSID information. In some examples,the neighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSID information is extracted from beaconframes received in 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands.

In some examples, the hardware processor 1002 may execute an instructionto, prior to scanning one or more of identified 6 GHz channels, preventthe inclusion of the RNR IE that that includes the neighbor AP's 6 GHzBSSID information in corresponding 2.4 and 5 GHz beacon frames.

In some examples, the obtained buffer status of the STAs associated tothe AP is based on information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame.

In some examples, the hardware processor 1002 may execute an instructionto defer a scan period to a subsequent beacon interval based on alikelihood that a client device associated to the AP is likely to senduplink data to the AP and stop the defer upon receiving the uplink datafrom the client device and initiation of the subsequent beacon interval.The likelihood may be determined using buffer status information.

In some examples, the scanning frequency depends on a Target Wait Time(TWT) window of the STA being awake and able to transmit or receivedata.

In some examples, the AP uses individual Target Wait Time (TWT) orbroadcast TWT mechanisms to align a scanning window of the APs to apower save state of the STA.

Computing component 1000 may also be configured to execute instructionsillustrated in FIG. 10B. As described in detail below, machine-readablestorage medium 1004 may be encoded with executable instructions, forexample, instructions 1050-1058.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1050 to initiate ascanning process. For example, a 2.4 or 5 Gigahertz (GHz) channelscanning process may be initiated associated with neighboring APs.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1052 to receive beaconand/or probe responses. For example, beacon and/or probe responses maybe received from the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel scanning process.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1054 to determine that aReduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) is present. Forexample, RNR IE may be present for the neighboring APs in the 2.4 GHzand 5 GHz scanning process. The RNR IE may include BSSID information ofan AP of the neighboring APs for a channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1056 to extract theBSSID information. For example, the BSSID information may be extractedfor the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

Hardware processor 1002 may execute instruction 1058 to update a channeltable with the BSSID information without scanning across all validchannels other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

In some examples, hardware processor 1002 may execute an instruction toreceive a second beacon or probe response, determine that the RNR IE isnot present, and ignore the second beacon or probe response.

In some examples, a second channel scanning process of the channel otherthan 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz is initiated off-channel.

In some examples, the BSSID information is extracted from at least someof the beacon responses received in 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequencybands.

In some examples, hardware processor 1002 may execute an instruction toobtain a buffer status of an STA associated to the neighboring APs basedon information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame.

In some examples, the hardware processor 1002 may execute an instructionto defer a scan period to a subsequent beacon interval based on alikelihood that a client device associated to the AP is likely to senduplink data to the AP and stop the defer upon receiving the uplink datafrom the client device and initiation of the subsequent beacon interval.The likelihood may be determined using buffer status information.

In some examples, the hardware processor 1002 may execute an instructionto consider a Target Wait Time (TWT) window of the STA being awake andable to transmit or receive data.

FIG. 11 depicts a block diagram of an example computer system 1100 inwhich various of the embodiments described herein may be implemented.The computer system 1100 includes a bus 1102 or other communicationmechanism for communicating information, one or more hardware processors1104 coupled with bus 1102 for processing information. Hardwareprocessor(s) 1104 may be, for example, one or more general purposemicroprocessors.

The computer system 1100 also includes a main memory 1106, such as arandom access memory (RAM), cache and/or other dynamic storage devices,coupled to bus 1102 for storing information and instructions to beexecuted by processor 1104. Main memory 1106 also may be used forstoring temporary variables or other intermediate information duringexecution of instructions to be executed by processor 1104. Suchinstructions, when stored in storage media accessible to processor 1104,render computer system 1100 into a special-purpose machine that iscustomized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.

The computer system 1100 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 1108or other static storage device coupled to bus 1102 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 1104. A storage device 1110,such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or USB thumb drive (Flash drive),etc., is provided and coupled to bus 1102 for storing information andinstructions.

The computer system 1100 may be coupled via bus 1102 to a display 1112,such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) (or touch screen), for displayinginformation to a computer user. An input device 1114, includingalphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 1102 for communicatinginformation and command selections to processor 1104. Another type ofuser input device is cursor control 1116, such as a mouse, a trackball,or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information andcommand selections to processor 1104 and for controlling cursor movementon display 1112. In some embodiments, the same direction information andcommand selections as cursor control may be implemented via receivingtouches on a touch screen without a cursor.

The computing system 1100 may include a user interface module toimplement a GUI that may be stored in a mass storage device asexecutable software codes that are executed by the computing device(s).This and other modules may include, by way of example, components, suchas software components, object-oriented software components, classcomponents and task components, processes, functions, attributes,procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware,microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays,and variables.

In general, the word “component,” “engine,” “system,” “database,” datastore,” and the like, as used herein, can refer to logic embodied inhardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions,possibly having entry and exit points, written in a programminglanguage, such as, for example, Java, C or C++. A software component maybe compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in adynamic link library, or may be written in an interpreted programminglanguage such as, for example, BASIC, Perl, or Python. It will beappreciated that software components may be callable from othercomponents or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response todetected events or interrupts. Software components configured forexecution on computing devices may be provided on a computer readablemedium, such as a compact disc, digital video disc, flash drive,magnetic disc, or any other tangible medium, or as a digital download(and may be originally stored in a compressed or installable format thatrequires installation, decompression or decryption prior to execution).Such software code may be stored, partially or fully, on a memory deviceof the executing computing device, for execution by the computingdevice. Software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as anEPROM. It will be further appreciated that hardware components may becomprised of connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and/ormay be comprised of programmable units, such as programmable gate arraysor processors.

The computer system 1100 may implement the techniques described hereinusing customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmwareand/or program logic which in combination with the computer systemcauses or programs computer system 1100 to be a special-purpose machine.According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed bycomputer system 1100 in response to processor(s) 1104 executing one ormore sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory1106. Such instructions may be read into main memory 1106 from anotherstorage medium, such as storage device 1110. Execution of the sequencesof instructions contained in main memory 1106 causes processor(s) 1104to perform the process steps described herein. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions.

The term “non-transitory media,” and similar terms, as used hereinrefers to any media that store data and/or instructions that cause amachine to operate in a specific fashion. Such non-transitory media maycomprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device1110. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 1106.Common forms of non-transitory media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, orany other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical datastorage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aPROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip orcartridge, and networked versions of the same.

Non-transitory media is distinct from but may be used in conjunctionwith transmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between non-transitory media. For example, transmissionmedia includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, includingthe wires that comprise bus 1102. Transmission media can also take theform of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

The computer system 1100 also includes a communication interface 1118coupled to bus 1102. Communication interface 1118 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to one or more network links that areconnected to one or more local networks. For example, communicationinterface 1118 may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN)card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a datacommunication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Asanother example, communication interface 1118 may be a local areanetwork (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to acompatible LAN (or WAN component to communicated with a WAN). Wirelesslinks may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communicationinterface 1118 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or opticalsignals that carry digital data streams representing various types ofinformation.

A network link typically provides data communication through one or morenetworks to other data devices. For example, a network link may providea connection through local network to a host computer or to dataequipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP inturn provides data communication services through the world wide packetdata communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet.”Local network and Internet both use electrical, electromagnetic oroptical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through thevarious networks and the signals on network link and throughcommunication interface 1018, which carry the digital data to and fromcomputer system 1100, are example forms of transmission media.

The computer system 1100 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link and communicationinterface 1118. In the Internet example, a server might transmit arequested code for an application program through the Internet, the ISP,the local network and the communication interface 1118.

The received code may be executed by processor 1104 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 1110, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution.

Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in thepreceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automatedby, code components executed by one or more computer systems or computerprocessors comprising computer hardware. The one or more computersystems or computer processors may also operate to support performanceof the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). The processes and algorithms may beimplemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. Thevarious features and processes described above may be used independentlyof one another, or may be combined in various ways. Differentcombinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall within the scopeof this disclosure, and certain method or process blocks may be omittedin some implementations. The methods and processes described herein arealso not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks or statesrelating thereto can be performed in other sequences that areappropriate, or may be performed in parallel, or in some other manner.Blocks or states may be added to or removed from the disclosed exampleembodiments. The performance of certain of the operations or processesmay be distributed among computer systems or computers processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines.

As used herein, a circuit might be implemented utilizing any form ofhardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or moreprocessors, controllers, ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logicalcomponents, software routines or other mechanisms might be implementedto make up a circuit. In implementation, the various circuits describedherein might be implemented as discrete circuits or the functions andfeatures described can be shared in part or in total among one or morecircuits. Even though various features or elements of functionality maybe individually described or claimed as separate circuits, thesefeatures and functionality can be shared among one or more commoncircuits, and such description shall not require or imply that separatecircuits are required to implement such features or functionality. Wherea circuit is implemented in whole or in part using software, suchsoftware can be implemented to operate with a computing or processingsystem capable of carrying out the functionality described with respectthereto, such as computer system 1100.

As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive orexclusive sense. Moreover, the description of resources, operations, orstructures in the singular shall not be read to exclude the plural.Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. Adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known,” and terms of similar meaning should not beconstrued as limiting the item described to a given time period or to anitem available as of a given time, but instead should be read toencompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologiesthat may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Thepresence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

What is claimed is:
 1. An access point (AP), comprising: a processor;and a memory unit including computer code that when executed causes theprocessor to: identify 6 Gigahertz (GHz) channels associated withneighboring APs; order the 6 GHz channels of the neighboring APs basedon activity level of the 6 GHz channels; obtain buffer status of a Wi-Ficommunication station (STA) associated to the AP; and schedule scanningof one or more of identified 6 GHz channels with deference to theobtained buffer status of the STAs and in accordance with a scanningfrequency dependent upon the order of the 6 GHz channels.
 2. The accesspoint (AP) of claim 1, wherein the 6 GHz channels associated withneighboring APs are identified from a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR)Information Element (IE) that includes a neighbor AP's 6 GHz BSSIDinformation.
 3. The access point (AP) of claim 2, wherein the neighborAP's 6 GHz BSSID information is extracted from beacon frames received in2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands.
 4. The access point (AP) of claim2, wherein the computer code further causes the processor to: prior toscanning one or more of identified 6 GHz channels, preventing inclusionof the RNR IE that that includes the AP's 6 GHz BSSID information incorresponding 2.4 and 5 GHz beacon frames.
 5. The access point (AP) ofclaim 1, wherein the obtained buffer status of the STAs associated tothe AP is based on information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame. 6.The access point (AP) of claim 1, wherein the computer code furthercauses the processor to: defer a scan period to a subsequent beaconinterval based on a likelihood that a client device associated to the APis likely to send uplink data to the AP, wherein the likelihood isdetermined using buffer status information; and stop the defer uponreceiving the uplink data from the client device and initiation of thesubsequent beacon interval.
 7. The access point (AP) of claim 1, whereinthe scanning frequency depends on a Target Wait Time (TWT) window of theSTA being awake and able to transmit or receive data.
 8. The accesspoint (AP) of claim 1, wherein the AP uses individual Target Wait Time(TWT) or broadcast TWT mechanisms to align a scanning window of the APsto a power save state of the STA.
 9. A computer-implemented methodcomprising: initiating a 2.4 or 5 Gigahertz (GHz) channel scanningprocess associated with neighboring APs; receiving beacon and proberesponses from the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel scanning process;determining that a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) Information Element(IE) is present for the neighboring APs in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHzscanning process, wherein the RNR IE includes BSSID information of an APof the neighboring APs for a channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz;extracting the BSSID information for the channel other than 2.4 GHz and5 GHz; and updating a channel table with the BSSID information withoutscanning across all valid channels other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving asecond beacon or probe response; determining that the RNR IE is notpresent; and ignoring the second beacon or probe response.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein a second channelscanning process of the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz isinitiated off-channel.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9,wherein the BSSID information is extracted from at least some of thebeacon responses received in 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz frequency bands. 13.The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:obtaining a buffer status of an STA associated to the neighboring APsbased on information in a Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising: deferring ascan period to a subsequent beacon interval based on a likelihood that aclient device associated to the AP of the neighboring APs is likely tosend uplink data to the AP, wherein the likelihood is determined usingbuffer status information; and stopping the defer upon receiving theuplink data from the client device and initiation of the subsequentbeacon interval.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, furthercomprising: considering a Target Wait Time (TWT) window of the STA beingawake and able to transmit or receive data.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructionsexecutable by one or more processors, the plurality of instructions whenexecuted by the one or more processors cause the one or more processorsto: initiate a 2.4 or 5 Gigahertz (GHz) channel scanning processassociated with neighboring APs; receive beacon and probe responses fromthe 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel scanning process; determine that a ReducedNeighbor Report (RNR) Information Element (IE) is present for theneighboring APs in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz scanning process, wherein theRNR IE includes BSSID information of an AP of the neighboring APs for achannel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; extract the BSSID information forthe channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; and update a channel tablewith the BSSID information without scanning across all valid channelsother than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 16, wherein the plurality of instructionsfurther cause the one or more processors to: receive a second beacon orprobe response; determine that the RNR IE is not present; and ignore thesecond beacon or probe response.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein a second channelscanning process of the channel other than 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz isinitiated off-channel.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the plurality of instructions further causethe one or more processors to: obtain a buffer status of an STAassociated to the neighboring APs based on information in a BufferStatus Report (BSR) frame.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 16, wherein the plurality of instructionsfurther cause the one or more processors to: defer a scan period to asubsequent beacon interval based on a likelihood that a client deviceassociated to the AP of the neighboring APs is likely to send uplinkdata to the AP, wherein the likelihood is determined using buffer statusinformation; and stop the defer upon receiving the uplink data from theclient device and initiation of the subsequent beacon interval.